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Strange vibration when accelerating

My car has recently developed a strange vibration when accelerating. It is most noticeable when in 1st and 2nd gear, going WOT. It starts at about 5K RPM and becomes much more pronounced as the revs climb. The vibration is high frequency in nature, and it really shakes the car near redline.

I've also noticed a rattling sound coming from the back of the car. It is back towards the diff. Coincidence?

Re: Strange vibration when accelerating

What year is the car and how many miles?

Sounds like it could be a worn Guibo/Centermount..as that could cause a lot of vibration. I guess it's also possible that your diff is having problems or you're experiencing rear subframe failure...hopefully, it's something minor.

Re: The car is a 2003

Fortunately, your car is still under warranty...I would take it into the dealer. Since, the problem appears to be very noticeable, I'm sure they would be able to figure out what is wrong rather quickly. Keep us updated..I'm curious.
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kmurph
Pittsburgh, PA

Ha Ha...I would hope not...

...but ya never know about some dealers. If the vibration is definitely coming from the rear end then I have to think it's a problem with one of the following...but I could be wrong

rear subframe
differential

Your car doesn't have too many miles so I wouldn't think it could be the guibo or...unless you drive it very hard a lot. Worn bushings wouldn't really make any noise...the car would just be very loose and wandering under hard acceleration.

A friend just had rear subframe failure and he said it was very noisy in the rear...clunking, vibrations and so on. He has less than 30K miles but he does drive the car rather hard and takes it to the track a lot...probably at least 30-40 track days per year...he bought the car in the spring of 2003.
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kmurph
Pittsburgh, PA

Kmurph is correct check the puck first!

It went out on me and caused the identical problem you are describing especially if you break the tires loose alot. It should be covered under warranty but then again BMW searches for ways not to cover items such as these. Btw, I know the part as a "flex disc"

Guibo or center disc

I have a couple of questions/comments that one of you experts can clarify for me.
1) The Guibo or flex disc pictured is amazingly similar to the absorbtion disc in the rear axle and differential of my 1993 Honda motor cycle (an 1100 CC Sport Touring bike) the ST 1100. Although this bike weighed nearly 800 lbs. dry and holds 7.5 gallons of gas I could easily walk it on it's tail, something you don't see too much with over half a ton of motorcycle (I am 260 lbs). I could do this in 1st and 2nd gears at WOT from a dead stop. This never made a noise or wobble and would drive my partner who had an 1100 Bimmer go nuts, so he sold the "torque monster" he had been told to believe he had been sold. My bike had 10K miles on it when I sold it and the the disc was like new.
2) Forgive my ignorance as an east TN 58 year old man, but why the large Racist comment....I just sold my wife's 1996 328 convertible and bought her a like new 2002 E46 330CiC Convertible auto with 17K on it and fully optioned out. Where am I missing the boat? Thx

Re: Strange vibration when accelerating

You vibration issue!

Originally Posted by A-TEAM

My car has recently developed a strange vibration when accelerating. It is most noticeable when in 1st and 2nd gear, going WOT. It starts at about 5K RPM and becomes much more pronounced as the revs climb. The vibration is high frequency in nature, and it really shakes the car near redline.

I've also noticed a rattling sound coming from the back of the car. It is back towards the diff. Coincidence?

Thoughts?

You may have to replace your drive shaft. U joints may be bad. They are NOT serviceable, so a new one is advised!